Library Unveils New First Floor Café

When students feel the need for a recharge they can head to the library’s new wireless café, where ample energy for their iPods and cell phones sits along side piping hot coffee and a bevy of snacks.

Students relax in the new Library Café, located in the building’s main lobby. / Humboldt State University

Humboldt State University has opened the Library Café in the building’s main lobby where patrons can buy refreshments and socialize, while taking advantage of multiple electrical outlets to power and recharge their handheld devices.

Designed to provide a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere with a Northwestern stream design motif, the new Library Café is serving coffee and espresso drinks and selected bottled juices, teas, sodas and waters. Los Bagels bagels and Vellutini Bakery pastries are served mornings and pre-made sandwiches, salads, various fruits and assorted energy, health and candy bars are also available. Arrangements are being made to obtain more local products for customers. The café has seating for 46 people, including diner-style booths, bar stools and full-size sofas and armchairs.

For now the Library Café is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Plans call for weekend hours and evening hours until 10 p.m., commencing Saturday, September 19. An all-day open house is being planned for later this month.

The Library’s existing drink and snack dispensers will remain in the south wing on the first floor.

All of the café staff positions are held by HSU students, and the new facility was designed and built in-house by Facilities Design and Plant Operations staff. Fire & Light Originals of Arcata supplied unique sconces, sea glass and pendant light shades that enshrine the Northwestern stream motif. A portion of the cost of the project was covered by the Parent and Family Fund.

“This project is a fine example of collaboration across University divisions,” said Burt Nordstrom, Vice President of Administrative Affairs, who oversees HSU business services.

Wayne Perryman, new Interim Dean of the Library, seconded that, adding, “We are very excited to be able finally to offer this service in the Library, which represents the culmination of an effort that was first envisioned by Library personnel back in 2003. Now that the café has been completed, I can truthfully say it exceeds our expectations, thanks to the collaborative efforts of everyone who worked tirelessly to fund, design, equip and build it. I extend my sincere appreciation to everyone who helped make this dream a reality. I am absolutely convinced that the students will quickly make the new café their home-away-from-home when they need a respite from their studies.”

In the words of Ron Rudebock, Director of HSU Dining Services, “This has been a group effort all around, with the Library, the Parent and Family Fund and Dining Services, as well as Facilities Design and Plant Operations, involved. It was through a lot of groups working together that made the Library Café happen.”

The facility completes the second phase of a multi-pronged project to furnish the campus with a 21st century Learning Commons that reestablishes the Library as the centerpiece of HSU, according to President Rollin Richmond.